Former ISRO Chairperson S Somanath, in an interview, said that IITians are not willing to join ISRO, and 60 per cent walked out of a recruitment drive after learning about the highest salary they could ever earn at the space agency. He noted that although IITians are considered among the country’s top engineering talent, barely 1% choose to join ISRO. The interview, which is from 2023, has gone viral again, and doctors have rallied up to question “bond bias”.
Fresh medical graduates in India are often required to serve compulsory government bonds, while engineering graduates, including those from IITs, face no such mandate. The disparity has led many doctors to demand equal treatment across professions.
“They [team] were presenting to them the career opportunity. After discussing career opportunities and the type of work, they presented the salary structure of the ISRO system. The students who were sitting there saw the highest pay that they could ever get in the ISRO. That was it. After seeing the presentation, 60 per cent of people walked out,” Somanath told Asianet News in 2023.
He explained that it may be because IITians probably start with the salary, which is highest at ISRO.
Reacting to this, one doctor said, “I wonder why only doctors should have bonds to work for the government. Enforce them on IITians also to work for ISRO, DRDO, etc.”
I wonder why only doctors should have bonds to work for govt. Enforce them on IITians also to work for ISRO, DRDO etc. https://t.co/DQjR1SgGca
— Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy (@DrDeepakKrishn1) June 9, 2025
“Let them go to the US, no issues. But we doctors have a bond, up to 10 years in certain states after doing MBBS or MD or superspeciality. Why are these guys exempted? You spend much more money on them!” another doctor chimed in.
Let them go to US no issues. But we doctors have bond, upto 10 years in certain states after doing MBBS or MD or superspeciality. Why these guys are exempted? You spend much more money for them!! @PMOIndia
— Dr G Rajesh (Gopalan Nair Rajesh). (@DrRajeshG1) June 9, 2025
How others reacted on social media:
Many users on social media have advocated for mandatory government service for those who studied at publicly funded institutions like IITs and IIMs.
“I was offered a 10-month ISRO internship in my final year (would have lasted 2 months post graduation). Required relocation, opting out of placements, gave zero stipend and didn’t guarantee a job afterwards. I understand working for experience, but this is borderline exploitative for students. A minimal 15K/month stipend could solve this,” said one social media user.
Another added, “Top salaries attract top talent. Yes, the nation needs them, but that doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice high-paying jobs. Other countries pay top salaries for top talent, and India is the 3rd largest economy, and we have to use the national card. Why?”
“Everyone who has studied with government subsidies in colleges like IITS and IIMS. There can be policies to work for a year or two with government companies,” suggested a third.